Here are places you can marry your loves for drinking and being nerdy

Nerds tend to gravitate toward other nerds because it's okay to talk about things like Star Wars, city referendums and why Apple products are superior to anything that is not an Apple product. Social drinkers tend to like hanging out with other social drinkers so that everyone's jokes seem funnier and it feels OK to eat enough nachos to serve a small family or do things like jump in public fountains.

Much like peanut butter and jelly or Wes Anderson movies and white people, when combined these two traits form a harmonious swirl of glee and whimsy.

There are myriad watering holes around Cincinnati with trivia nights featuring prizes and all sorts of food and drink specials and cash prizes for winning teams.Here are a bunch organized by day.

After such success during the Taste of
Cincinnati weekend, the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company will continue to
offer weekend tours of their brewery on Moore Street in Over-the-Rhine.

The
brewery was open for public tours for the Taste, but not
everyone was able to make it in for a look into the new brewing facility and
tap room. The free tours will lead patrons through the production brewery and
the underground Malt House from the pre-prohibition Kauffman Brewery. Tours
conclude with a craft beer tasting and plenty of food from local food trucks.

Tours
will include information about the various Moerlein beers sold in the area as
well as the process by which they are crafted. Visitors will also enjoy a
lesson in Moerlein food pairing that features dining selections from local
restaurants.

The
Moerlein Brewing Company, opened in 1853 after high demand from German
immigrants, has exported beers throughout Cincinnati and to Europe and South
America. After the fall of the brewery during the “dark age” of prohibition,
the Moerlein name was restored in 1981. Christian Moerlein Select Lager, the
first American beer to pass the Reinheitsgebot Bavarian Purity Law, was known
for its taste and simplicity, containing only malted barley, hops, water and
yeast.

Gregory
Hardman, a Cincinnati “beer baron,” purchased Christian Moerlein in 2004. Still
committed to crafting quality, great-tasting beers, the Moerlein Brewing
Company is reaching out to the Cincinnati community and offering residents and
visitors an opportunity to engage themselves with one of Cincinnati’s most
well-known traditions.

“We were
thrilled with the public’s response to our tours during ‘Taste’ weekend,” said Hardman in a press release. “We are extending our tours through the weekends to give
everyone a chance to visit our new brewing facility.” Tours will explore modern
craft brewing processes as well as brewing techniques specific to the
Cincinnati area.

Christian
Moerlein now boasts a variety of beers and lagers including Moerlein OTR Ale,
Moerlein Lager House, Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark, Moerlein Northern
Liberties IPA, Moerlein Seven Hefeweizen, and Moerlein Seasonal Selections.
Moerlein beers and lagers are available on tap at a number of local pubs and
restaurants and in bottles at retail stores.

The
brewery will be open every Friday through Sunday for tours. Tours will begin at
the following times: Fridays at 5 and 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.;
Sundays at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. The Christian Moerlein Craft Brewery, Tap Room and
Tour Center is located in the Kaufman Pre-Prohibition Brewery Complex, 1621
Moore Street. Ample parking is available in adjacent lots. For more
information, visit christianmoerlein.com.

Tattoos and body
art have been a part of various cultures for thousands of years. The concept
came to the States in the late 19th century, when ink could be found
on soldiers and people living on the fringe of society. Today, the medium’s
popularity makes it more difficult to find people without any tattoos. While we’ve all witnessed unfortunate ink, the
real pros exhibit amazing talent. Ink is now a celebrated art form (and, oddly,
the basis of several TV shows) and tonight, fans of both visual art and tattoos
have a chance to meet legendary tattoo artist and historian Lyle Tuttle.
Beelistic Tattoo on Short Vine welcomes Tuttle for an art show of his iconic work. Tuttle began tattooing at
age 18 in 1949 and has inked the likes of Janis Joplin, The Allman Brothers,
Paul Stanley and countless others. Meet the artist, peruse his work, enjoy free
drinks and plan your next tat from 5-10 p.m.

This past summer’s
World Choir Games brought a whirlwind of music and visitors from across the
globe to our back yard. Cincinnati’s own MUSE women’s choir was awarded a gold
medal at the Games and tonight the group makes its first public appearance
since that award-winning performance. “Keep Yo’ Lamps Burnin” features African-American traditional
songs and spirituals to be performed at various venues Friday-Sunday. Go here for the full schedule and ticket
information.

This weekend, Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra welcomes Louis
Langrée for his first concert as Music Director Designate. The French conductor
is also Chief Conductor of the Camerata Salzburg and the music director of the
Mostly Mozart Festival in New York. The concert (11 a.m. Friday and 8 p.m.
Saturday) is, fittingly, an all-French program featuring César Franck’s Symphony in D minor, Olivier Messiaen’sLesOffrandes
Oubliées andCamille Saint-Saëns’s Piano ConcertoNo. 2.For tickets and more information, go here.

The Heights
Music Festivalbrings more than 40 area acts to the UC area
Friday and Saturday. The Frankl Project, The Guitars, Oui Si Yes and lots more
local talent will fill Rohs Street Café (all ages), Baba
Budan’s, Mac’s Pizza Pub and Christy’s Biergarten. Single-night tickets are $5
in advance/$8 at the door; full weekend passes are $10/$12.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to
break out your Goodwill’ed tweed suit, you’re in luck! Sounding like something
straight out of Portlandia, The City
of Cincinnati Bike Program is organizing an old-school Tweed Ride
Saturday. Grab your wool skirts, wax your handlebar mustache and dust off your
newsboy cap for a dapper ride about town. Riders should meet at O’Bryonville’s
Owls Next Park at 2 p.m. for the 8-mile, slow-paced flat ride.

The Moerlein Lager House is
ready to kick off the holiday season Saturday with a Beer and Breweriana Extravaganza
noon-4 p.m. In what they’re calling “one part holiday beer tasting and one part
Antiques Roadshow,” guests can sip seasonal brews while getting free appraisals
on beer memorabilia and steins. Authors Mike Morgan and Don Tolzmann will be on
hand to sign their Cincinnati brewing books and Jim Effler will sell his beer label
artwork and posters. Stick around for lunch and dinner to enjoy a full
Cincy-centric day.

Check out our calendar
for a full list of theater shows, art exhibits, events, concerts and more to do
this weekend and beyond.

Local Pedal Wagon introduces a fun, green take on transportation

Have you spotted a giant, pedal-powered contraption rolling around town? No, we're not talking about tall bikes (though we do love us some crazy cyclists) — Pedal Wagon is a new venture from two Cincinnati-natives that offers a first-of-its-kind experience in the area.

Jack Heekin and Tom O'Brian created
the Pedal Wagon to give locals a unique way to experience all the bars,
historical sites and landmarks Cincy has to offer. It works like this: about a dozen
passengers sit around a rectangular covered wagon with pedals underneath the seats.
Those passengers provide the power while a driver steers the wagon along. If you're too short to reach the pedals (which is the case if you're under 5-foot-3) or physical activity cramps your style, just relax on the bench and watch your friends do all the work!

Pedal
Wagon made its debut inside February's Cincy Winter Beerfest, then hit the
streets of OTR for the recent Bockfest. Don’t worry about intoxicated drivers, though — passengers merely
provide power for the wagon, while a sober professional directs it and
controls the car-caliber breaks.

Pedal Wagon offers various city cruises where
guests will be taken to area bars, Fountain Square, and other Downtown hot
spots. They also feature Pedal Parties, where individuals can rent the wagon
for 2 hours at just $30 a person. Alcohol is not allowed on the wagon itself,
unless on private property with permission to do so (like inside Cincy Beerfest).

The crew plans to join forces with American Legacy Tours (Queen City
Underground, Newport Gangster Tour) for The Beer Barons and Bike Tour this May. For more information, or to book a cruise, call 513-201-ROLL or check out www.pedalwagon.com. Be sure to look out for the Pedal Wagon at Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade downtown!

Four Entertainment Group (4EG) is the driving force behind nine of the most popular bars and restaurants in the area. While it would be difficult to drink at each location in one night (and possibly damaging to the liver), 4EG is bringing all of their venues to Fountain Square tonight. Try specialty cocktails, beers, wine and signature dishes from aliveOne, Keystone Hyde Park, Keystone Covington, The Lackman, The Stand, Mount Adams Pavilion, The Righteous Room, The Sandbar and Tap & Go as you get down to music from DJ Matt Joy and Bad Veins. Head down to the square from 5-10 p.m. and if you're on Foursquare, be sure to check in — the mayor of these venues will receive a prize.

Thanks to The Requiem Project, the historic Emery Theatre is back in action and hosting concerts, productions and other events. Saturday, the Emery hosts the world premiere of Cincinnati playwright Catie O’Keefe's Welcome Home: The Waddie Welcome Story. The one-night-only production follows a Savannah, Ga. man with cerebral palsy whose determination to live independently with the support of his community inspired a popular book. This show marks the first theatrical show in the space in several years. Catch it at 2 or 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

On second Saturdays, Northside is the place to be. Celebrate the eclectic neighborhood and support local businesses by visiting some of the dozens of participating galleries, shops, restaurants and bars. Visitors will enjoy extended hours, drink and food specials, sales and unique promotions at places like Nvision, Mayday, Take the Cake, C&D, Tantrum, Skincraft and many more. Find a full list of participating businesses here.

Still not sure how to treat your mom on Mother's Day? Our dining guru Anne Mitchell has some tasty advice here. Besides the aforementioned Appalachian Festival, there are plenty of options for yo momma this weekend. The International Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and moms are welcome free of charge Sunday. Rabbit Hash is a magical little place, and if your mom loves peaceful river views, quirky antiques, live music and country culture, it's the place to take her Sunday! Austin Jazz-twang group The Love Leighs perform at Rabbit Hash's General Store from 6-8 p.m. Maybe mama's a sports fan? Take her to see The Reds take on The Nationals Sunday at GABP. Get tickets here.

Check out Stage Door for this weekend's theater offerings, our music blog for a live show lineup and our To Do page for more events, art shows, performances and more this weekend.

Labor Day weekend
is upon us, and even though the weather may stay hot through October, it
represents our kiss goodbye to summer. Fire up the grill, bust out the
margaritas and find your prime spot to watch Sunday’s WEBN fireworks
because no matter which side of the river you’re cheering from, there are tons
of events to cram in this long weekend.

Swing by
Washington Park sometime Friday-Sunday to check out the AVP Cincinnati Open. Pro beach volleyball
players straight from the London Olympics compete daily to qualify for the 2012
AVP Championships in Santa Barbara, Calif. Tickets run $15-20.

The MidPoint Indie
Summer Series wraps up Friday night with Wussy, R. Ring and The Guitars playing
Fountain Square, 7-11 p.m. We’re officially four weeks away from the main
event: MPMF Sept. 27-29. Do you have your wristband yet? You should get on
that.

Enjoy Friday’s blue
moon
with a group ride organized by The Urban Basin Bicycle Club. Meet at outside Know Theater by 8:30 p.m. and enjoy a short, flat ride around
Over-the-Rhine and Downtown. Deck yourself and your ride out with battery-powered lights,
sparkles and other shiny materials to keep this ride fun and safe for everyone.

Final Friday means
OTR’s galleries, bars, restaurants and shops will be a-buzz all night. After
you’ve gotten your arts and drinks fix, be sure to check out the Night Owl
Market at the
parking lot at Main Street and Central Parkway. Food vendors
will be serving up tasty goodness from 10 p.m.-3 a.m., in addition to shopping and more
late-night fun. Read more about the new monthly market here.

Has it been a
while since you made the voyage north to Harveysburg for the Ohio Renaissance
Festival? The epic old-timey fair returns this weekend,
and it’s way more than what you probably remembered as a kid. The 30-acre, re-created
16th century English village is chock-full of jousting, mud fights and
fire-breathers, games, rides and shopping, plus more food and booze than you can
shake a giant turkey leg at! The fest is open 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Monday
and weekends through Oct. 21. Huzzah!

The lovely little
town of Rabbit Hash in Burlington celebrates its 33rd
annual Old Timer’s Day Saturday. The “center of the universe”promises a day of live music, yummy
grub, a “barnival” for kids and endless river views. Leave the coolers at home
— the General Store is stocked with all the snacks, pop and beer you’ll need (plus
countless rustic knick knacks you’ll want to take home). Visit the mayor (Lucy
Lou, a border collie) and walk through the picturesque community 11 a.m.-11
p.m.

DAAP grad and former Project Runway contestant Althea Harper is in town tonight, presenting a trunk show at OTR's Sloane Boutique. Check out the designer's Spring 2012 looks featuring her signature combination of fine tailoring and delicate draping. Sloane offers 15 percent off its spring merchandise and a chance to win a $50 gift certificate. Get details here.

This weekend Cincinnati Ballet presents a production quite fitting, considering our weather – Rite of Spring. With Stravinsky's music performed live by the Cincinnati Orchestra, Rite of Spring is a “raw, grungy” piece that pits “individual against the group; it’s kind of timeless and universal,” as described by Resident Choreographer Adam Hougland. There is an 8 p.m. performance tonight and 2 and 8 p.m. performances Saturday. Go here for ticket information and performance details.

Millenicon is a literature-based sci-fi convention celebrating its 26th year in Cincinnati. This isn't your standard Trekkie symposium (though there's many programs for them!) – there's a variety of programming during the convention's run, including science fiction literature and fantasy subjects, science, space, technology, writing, art, costuming, collecting, gaming, children's programming, film and media interests. All are welcome to get their geek on at the longest-running sci-fi convention in the area. It all takes place tonight through Sunday, with programs occurring throughout the day, at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati - I-275 North in Sharonville.

Concert:nova's Food + Music Festival comes to a close Sunday with Quartetto Italiano. The festival, which featured food and music from France and Germany, wraps up with an Italian brunch at Via Vite prepared by Chef Christian Peitoso and string quartet music written by Italian composers Puccini, Verdi and Nino Rota. The event takes place at noon and is $55 ($35 for pass holders). Get tickets here.

Of course, there are endless St. Patrick's Day events also happening this weekend. Find some of them (and a fun history of
the holiday) here. You know the drill – nearly every bar and restaurant across town will
celebrate in some capacity, even if it's just green Budweiser and that damn Dropkick Murphys song on repeat.

46th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at noon downtown. The parade famously continues through rain, snow, or, perhaps this year, unseasonably warm weather. Hopefully the impending storms will hold off anyway. The route begins at Second and up Main Street, across Fifth and down Elm Street. Find details here.

One suggestion is the Schmidlapp Event Lawn preview party running tonight through Sunday. The event lawn, located next to the Moerlein Lager House and Smale Park at The Banks, opens for the first time to the public for the holiday. Enjoy live dancers, pipers and bands, plenty of beer stands and a killer view of the riverfront. If you get hungry or crave some harder stuff (Jameson, anyone?) just hop inside the Lager House.

In addition to Cinco de Mayo and Derby Day, the next couple days bring a ton of events and activities. Saddle up, grab some tequila and get out there this weekend!

Essex
Studios blossom this weekend for the galleries’ spring Art Walk, BLOOM.
The space has been transformed with a thousand origami flowers, yarn gardens by
the Cincinnati BombShells and color-coded pathways. As always, more than 100
artists’ work will be on view as guests eat and drink their way through the
studios. The art walk runs 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Saturday
is Clay Alliance’s annual pottery fair at DeSales Corner. Peruse decorative and
functional pottery pieces, meet local artists and get supplies to work with
clay on your self. Hourly raffles and live music round out the day. The 12th
annual fair takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m., rain or shine.

The first Saturday of May happens to be Cinco De Mayo this
year, but it’s also Free Comic Book Day: once a year, comic/specialty book
shops across North America offer free publications to all guests. Find a nearby
participating store here. Many store offer additional in-store events and
promotions; Up Up & Away in Cheviot welcomes The Walking Dead co-creator and original artist Tony Moore.

Crafty Supermarket
is back! Making its home at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, the spring show
brings more than 50 indie, subversive crafters from across the city and country
to sell their funky, functional handmade goods. Just in time for Mother’s Day,
shoppers will find unique apparel and accessories, home goods, artwork and more
goodies. Fuel your shopping with delicious food and coffee from local vendors
while a PROJECTMILL DJ keeps you groovin’. Show up early to nab a coveted swag
bag — every year, shoppers line up around the corner of Clifton Avenue in hopes
of being one of the first 100 who get a bag. The market is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
and admission is free.

Cinco
de Mayo is more popular in the U.S. than Mexico, but since when do we let
historical inaccuracies stand in the way of a good drinking holiday? Nearly
every bar and restaurant participates in some capacity, but we’ve selected a
few to host our annual Cantina Crawl. Here’s our schedule:

Join our roving squad of
senoritas and “Seen on the Scene” photographers as they travel from place to
place with more prizes than you can throw a maraca at.

Prom
is a rite of passage many, but often LGBTQ kids don’t feel comfortable at
school dances because of bullies and expectations about dress and dates. The Gay,
Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Greater Cincinnati provides a
welcoming environment for these individuals at their annual GLSEN Prom Saturday.
Come to the Freedom Center for two events in one: those under 21 are invited to
"dress as you want, bring who you want, and love as you
want.” In a separate area of the center the over 21 crowd, who maybe didn’t
get to experience a prom of their own, can enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing for
$65. Those wanting to attend post-dinner can come after 9 p.m. for a
discounted price. As always, kids are welcome free of charge with early
registration. All proceeds support the local GLSEN chapter.

Check out Stage Door for this weekend's theater offerings, our music blog for a live show lineup and our To Do page for more events, art shows, performances and more this weekend.

And
don’t forget to check out the "supermoon"
Saturday — the biggest full moon of the year will peak around 11:30 p.m.
tomorrow.

It’s no secret
that Northside is the city’s premiere taco destination. The neighborhood welcomes its third taco
joint Friday with the grand opening of Barrio Tequileria. This latest addition
comes from the folks behind popular food truck Taco Azul and will specialize in
authentic Mexican/L.A.-style street food, tequila and mezcal. Doors open Friday
at 5 p.m. and they’ll be serving up tacos and drinks until 2 a.m. Check them
out on Facebook.

The final
installment of Macy’s Art Sampler Weekend takes place Saturday. Enjoy free art
activities and performances all day in venues across Greater Cincinnati,
including: tours and music at the Contemporary Arts Center, Hip-Hop, spoken
word and crafts at the Taft Museum of Art, belly-dancing, toe-shoe performances
and Kung-Fu at the Cincinnati Ballet and an Amazing Arts Race from ArtsWave
Young Professionals. The sampler send with a Sock-Hop in Washington Park
featuring Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's Marvelous Wonderettes. Look up the full
schedule by event, venue or category here.

Contemporary Dance
Theater celebrates 40 years of bringing modern dance to Cincinnati with the
FORTY40Gala Saturday. The evening includes music and dance performances,
retrospective displays and videos, a silent auction, complementary drinks and
hors d’oeuvres, all in the historic Emery Theatre. Go here
to read our interview with CDT’s founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Jefferson James.

Have you been
waiting for the opportunity to let you inner Maverick shine? Well, grab your
aviators, zip up that jumpsuit and fly on out to SkateTown USA’s Top Gun-themed “Roller SK80s” party
Saturday. Whether you’re a regular rollergirl or you haven’t skated since the
actual ‘80s, there will be enough fun to go around with music, a photobooth and
an all-you-can-drink bar (dangerous much?). Admission is just $10, which
includes skate rental and drinks, and proceeds benefit Disabled
American Veterans. The party runs 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and word is there will
be a shuttle to a hotel after-party. Go here
for details, directions and tips on
finding some prime ‘80s garb.

The Cincinnati
Museum Center wraps up its Passport to the World series with this weekend’s
Asian Culture Fest. Visitors will travel across China, India, Japan, Korea,
Taiwan, Vietnam and Nepal via cultural displays, hands-on workshops, music and dance
performances, an authentic Asian marketplace and much more. The fest runs
Saturday-Sunday. Find a full event schedule here.

If you like parties, dogs, drinking , world-class theater, Natalie Cole and po' boys, we've got a list of reasons for you to leave the house this week. If none of those things appeal to you, there's always TV.

Why not start with TV? For all of you who are still repeatedly binge-watching Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul premieres 10 p.m. Sunday on AMC. It looks at the titular character before he was Mr. Goodman. Six years before Walter White stepped in his office, he was just a small-time lawyer named Jimmy McGill. In Sunday’s premiere, we’ll see Jimmy’s peculiar approach to finding clients and the dynamic between Jimmy and his successful lawyer brother Chuck (Michael McKean). A second new episode airs Monday at 10 p.m., the show’s regular time slot.

Friday, Feb. 6

Balls Around the Block pub-crawl: As the number of residents in downtown increases, so does the number of dogs without a backyard. This is where Balls Around the Block steps in. For the past 10 years, Cincy dog lovers have come together via canines and booze to raise an incredible amount of money for downtown’s Fido Field. For the crawl, check in at the 21c Museum Hotel at 6 p.m., find your team of 25 and start bar hopping around downtown. Prepare your livers and drink for the pooches of Cincinnati. $35; $40 at the door if there are any spots left. 21c, Second Floor, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, ballsaroundtheblock.com.

The Year of Magical Thinking

Photo: Jason Sheldon

The Year of Magical Thinking:In 2004, author Joan Didion came to terms with the unexpected death of her husband of 40 years as well as the grave illness of their only daughter by writing a memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking. In 2007, she transformed her narrative of mourning into a monologue for the stage that actress Vanessa Redgrave took to Broadway. Local director Lyle Benjamin launches his latest initiative, the Cincy One Act Festival — “great plays by great playwrights in 90 minutes or less” — with a production featuring Cate White. She earned positive reviews when it was staged in December, and Benjamin has brought it back for another month. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through Feb. 28. $20. Cincy One Act Festival, College Hill Town Hall, 1805 Larch Ave., College Hill, 513-223-6246, cincyoneact.com.

Willie Nile

Photo: Fleming Artists

Willie Nile at the Southgate House: Willie Nile, the long underappreciated, roots-rockin’ singer/songwriter from the streets of New York, has been on an incredible ride — an American ride — of late. Nile’s 2013 album American Ride, a ringing affirmation of lyrically heartfelt Punk- and Folk-influenced Rock with chiming and crunching guitar chords and hugely irresistible, heroic sing-along choruses, turned out to be a surprise hit in Americana circles. It won an Independent Music Award in the Rock/Hard Rock category, got airplay on stations like Northern Kentucky radio outlet WNKU and was the most successful record in his decades-long career. Nile’s first album was his 1980 self-titled debut, which got him hailed as a new Dylan.An active touring schedule last year brought him and his band to Southgate House Revival, apparently his first time performing here. He had a standing, cheering, sweating crowd singing along to his sharp-visioned original songs and covers of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane,” Jim Carroll’s “People Who Died” and The Clash’s arrangement of “Police on My Back.” Willie Nile returns to the Southgate House Revival this Friday. Tickets/more info: southgatehouse.com.

Cincy Winter Blues Fest: This weekend the Cincy Blues Society presents the 2015Winter Blues Fest at The Phoenix. Music will again be featured on three stages at the venue. On Friday, joining national headliner Popa Chubby in the third floor ballroom will be Doug Hart, The Sonny Moorman Group and The Beaumonts. On the second floor ballroom stage, The Blue Birds Big Band, The SoulFixers, Chuck Brisbin & The Tuna Project and the BITS Band (featuring young players from the Blues in the Schools program) will perform, while Friday’s first floor lineup features The Brad Hatfield Band, The Whiskey Shambles, The Cheryl Renee Project and The Medicine Men.

Saturday’s headliner is the U.K.’s Joanne Shaw Taylor, who will be joined in the third floor ballroom by The Juice, Kelly Richey and Tempted Souls. Saturday’s second floor ballroom lineup has G Miles and the Hitmen, Leroy Ellington Blues Band, Jay Jesse Johnson Blues Band and Johnny Fink & the Intrusion.On the first floor Saturday, you can catch the Noah Wotherspoon Band, Lil Red & The Rooster, Greg Schaber Band and Ricky Nye Inc. with Behah Williams.

Music begins at 6 p.m. each night. Tickets are available in advance through brownpapertickets.com for $20 (or $32.85 for a two-day pass). For complete Winter Blues Fest details, visit cincyblues.org.

Bob Marley's 70th Birthday: If he hadn’t died in 1981 from cancer, music legend Bob Marley would be celebrating his 70th birthday this Friday. Fans across the world all year will be honoring the life of the man who popularized Reggae music, but this birthday weekend the Thompson House is the place to be for local Marley lovers. On Friday, the venue hosts the release party for the debut EP by Cincy Reggae/Rock/Jam crew Elementree Livity Project, You’re Not Ready. The lineup for the 8 p.m. show also includes fellow local Reggae acts The Cliftones and Know Prisoners. Besides their own performances, members of each band will join forces for a Marley tribute set. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 7

Peace After Marriage

Photo: Goodlap Productions

Jewish & Israeli Film Festival: The Mayerson JCC hosts the international Jewish & Israeli Film Festival with the tagline, “More controversy. More comedy. More films.” The fest screens 10 award-winning independent films, ranging from contemporary dramas to documentaries. There will also be a selection of Jewish-interest films produced outside of Israel. The fest kicks off with a screening of Peace After Marriage, a romantic comedy about a Palestinian-American actor’s green card marriage to a prickly Israeli woman, and a meet-and-greet with the director. 8 p.m. Saturday. $36; includes one free drink. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, mayersonjcc.org. Read more about the films that will be screening here.

instagram @thebldg

Covington's 200th Birthday Party: We spend a lot of time toasting to the greatness of Cincinnati, but it’s time to love on our neighbors to the south.Covington is celebrating its 200th birthdayand the city is doing it in major style. Say “Happy Birthday” to The C.O.V. by putting on your fanciest LBD (or tux, whatevs) and heading to the Cov200 Bicentennial Gala and Birthday Bash. Starting at 9:30 p.m., the city invites everyone to a free party with tunes from DJ Jon Carlo, a cash bar and palm readings. If you’re feeling super baller and have the dough, buy tickets to come early, enjoy a cocktail hour with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, eat stellar food and see The Chuck Taylors. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Free for birthday bash; $125 gala entry. Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, Ky., cov200.org.

Garage Brewed Moto Show

Photo: Bill DeVore

Garage Brewed Moto Show: The Garage Brewed Moto Show features more than 50 motorcycles/bikes from the Tristate for this first invitational motorcycle show, held in the historical Over-the-Rhine Brewery District. The event will include awards in four different categories: pro custom, garage custom, classic bikes and people’s choice. Appreciate the builders who dedicate their time building motorcycles, whether they’re pros with large garages or your next-door neighbor. 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Free. Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, garagebrewed.com.

BBQ Oysters

Photo: Khoi Nguyen

Prep for Mardi Gras by Eating at Mardi Gras on Madison:In January, Latoya “Toya” Foster of New Orleans to Go food truck fame opened a brick-and-mortar version of her Cajun/Creole vittles called Mardi Gras on Madison in East Walnut Hills. There is no set menu. Foster decides on at least five different dishes to serve when she wakes up and then posts them on social media. (A menu from last week featured barbecue chicken tacos, catfish tacos, black beans and rice, fried okra and shrimp po’ boys.) Their food license doesn’t allow them to reserve food for the next day, which helps eliminate waste; food is served until closing time or until it’s gone, whichever happens first. The bar shakes up specialty cocktails such as a Bloody Michael, named after Foster’s dad’s middle name, made with king cake vodka and served with an okra garnish, and a Jazzerac, their take on a Sazerac, which is the official cocktail of NOLA. They also have various Abita craft beers, another Louisiana staple, and a Katrina hurricane (orange juice, rum and pineapple juice). They call it a hurricane for a reason, and if you’re looking to get pickled, drinking more than one of these will knock you on your ass. On actual Mardi Gras (Feb. 17), Foster is planning a party that might involve a crawfish boil, a live band and traditional king cake. Knowing Foster, there most certainly will be good food, dancing and bon temps. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. first and third Sunday of the month. 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, 513-873-9041, neworleanstogopoboys.com.

Cole Swindell

Extreme Bull Riding:Bull riding might be the most dangerous sport in the world, but don’t let that stop you from hootin’ and hollerin’. Cheer on cowboys and cowgirls during the Extreme Bull Riding Bronco Busting and Barrel Racing show at Cincinnati Gardens. Following the bulls and barrel racing, get a chance to see rising Country singer Cole Swindell in concert. For more on Swindell, see Sound Advice here. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $30-$55. Cincinnati Gardens, 2250 Seymour Ave., Norwood, cincygardens.com.

Exhale Dance Tribe

Photo: Scott Petranek

Exhale Dance Tribe Celebrates a Decade of Dance: It’s a sunny, cold January afternoon when I pull up outside the stone façade of a grand old building on Gilbert Avenue for an interview with Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard. Spread across the loft-like top floor is Planet Dance, the progressive dance studio founded by the two. It’s also home to the duo’s prolific and highly lauded dance company, Exhale Dance Tribe. This weekend, 14 Tribe dancers (along with Hubbard, who will solo) will perform at the Aronoff’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater in a mixed bill revisiting a selection of characteristic vignettes from the past 10 years of evening-length productions. Exhale Dance Tribe will perform Best of 10: A Decade of Dance Saturday and Sunday at the Aronoff Center. More info: exhaledancetribe.com.Read more about the performances and Lay Zimmer and Hubbard here.

Sunday, Feb. 8

Natalie Cole

Unforgettable: An Evening with Natalie Cole: Do some prep for a romantic Valentine’s Day by indulging in the smooth sounds of the Cincinnati Pops and Natalie Cole. Cole, a nine time Grammy winner, internationally acclaimed artist and daughter of Jazz icon Nat King Cole, is best known for her hits like “This Will Be” and “Our Love.” On Sunday, Cole takes the stage for one-night only, belting out captivating versions of her favorite songs. 7 p.m. Sunday. $40-$110. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatisymphony.org.

Grease

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Grease Sing-Along: Grease is the word; The Esquire is the place. A special sing-along celebrating the highest-grossing musical of all time and cultural phenomenon Grease is arriving at the Mariemont and Esquire theaters. Feel free to belt out “Summer nights” and chant “We Go Together” at the high school carnival with the rest of the kids. Don pink jackets or grease up a quiff, because if you want to be a T-Bird or a Pink Lady then you can. There will be a fancy dress contest before each viewing. Advance tickets suggested. 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mariemont Theatre. 10:30 p.m. Sunday at The Esquire. $10. The Esquire, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com; Mariemont Theatre, 6906 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, mariemonttheatre.com.

Autism Rocks: The sixth edition of the local Autism Rocks benefit concert takes place this Sunday at The Fairfield Banquet and Convention Center at Tori’s Station. Originally conceived to help a local couple with medical bills incurred from their young son’s treatment, the event soon expanded to raise money for other autism causes. This year, Autism Rocks benefits the Ken Anderson Foundation, formed by the former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback to “build and sustain a community for adults living with autism” (visit kenandersonfoundation.com for more about the cause). Several local celebrities and former sports stars are expected to make appearances, and there will be silent and live auctions throughout the day to further raise funds. Running from noon until around 7 p.m., Autism Rocks 6 features more than a dozen local acts, including The Sonny Moorman Group, Prizoner, Stagger Lee (with special guest Dallas Moore), After Midnight, Mr. Chris and the Cruisers, Devils Due, Mojo Rizin and 4th Day Echo. Admission is a $20 donation.

Looking for more stuff to do? Check the rest of our staff recommendations here.